MANILA • Asean is to sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong in November, a Philippine government official said yesterday, following three years of talks..
MANILA • Asean is to sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong in November, a Philippine government official said yesterday, following three years of talks.
The Chinese special administrative region began free trade negotiations with Asean in 2014, four years after the 10-nation economic bloc signed a similar trade deal with China in 2010.
Hong Kong also completed negotiations on an investment pact with Asean, said Philippine Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.
«This would… send a positive signal to the international community of Asean’s resolute commitment to free trade and open markets, » Mr Rodolfo told reporters.
He gave no details of the two agreements, which dealt with lowering import duties and cutting barriers to investment.
The agreement was reached as Asean economic ministers held a dialogue in Manila yesterday with Hong Kong government officials.
